Products that earn the ENERGY STAR designation use less energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. With energy costs and global warming top-of-mind for consumers, Corcoran & Harnist is committed to offering solutions that help consumers conserve energy and improve the quality of our environment.
As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. By choosing ENERGY STAR qualified products, you can start saving annually on your energy bills.
In addition to choosing products with the ENERGY STAR designation, you can also reduce your existing energy consumption by following these simple steps.
Change your air filter regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
Tune up your heating and cooling equipment
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Corcoran & Harnist offers Preventative Maintenance Agreements which are scheduled tune-ups. Call us at (513) 921-2227 to learn more.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
Seal your heating and cooling ducts
Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more.
Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment
If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, call Corcoran & Harnist for a free in-home inspection. In addition to evaluating your old equipment, we can also help you address big air leaks in your house and duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment. If your old equipment is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment
Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent — costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment’s life. With more than 30 years in the heating and cooling business, Corcoran and Harnist is dedicated to providing the best possible service for you and your family. You can count on us to provide you with a system and solution that fits your family’s unique needs and since we’ve installed many systems in this area, we’ve earned a reputation for doing the job right the first time.